2013 SPALDING® NJCAA OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jovon Robinson – Georgia Military
Running Back / Freshman

Throughout the 2013 season, Georgia Military freshman Jovon Robinson proved to be one of the best running backs in the history of two-year college football. Breaking two single-season records and tying two more, Robinson was selected as this year’s Spalding® NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year.

Breaking two NJCAA single-season rushing records, Robinson compiled 2,387 yards and 34 touchdowns on the ground this season. Robinson’s 34 rushing touchdowns shattered former Rochester running back Isaac Odim’s record of 27 set in 2007. The previous single-season rushing record of 2,338 yards has stood since 1996 when the record was set by Rodrick Johnson of Dixie State – now an NCAA Division II program. Robinson also tied Normandale running back Tom Zenner’s single-season records of 204 points and 34 touchdowns that have both been untouched since 1987.

Robinson’s sensational year led Georgia Military to an undefeated 11-0 record in the regular season. The Bulldogs rode their star running back to four victories over top five opponents and the program’s first appearance in the NJCAA National Championship Game. Despite falling to No. 2 East Mississippi in the Mississippi Bowl, Robinson accumulated 238 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries.

A native of Memphis, Tenn., Robinson is planning on coming back to Georgia Military for his sophomore season. If the former Auburn-signee returns to Milledgeville, he will likely be one of the most highly-coveted two-year prospects in 2014.

Playing in one of the most competitive conference divisions in two-year college football, freshman Demond Tucker made his presence felt at the heart of the Copiah-Lincoln defensive front. Leading the Wolves to a 7-2 record and a final top 15 ranking, Tucker became only the fourth defensive lineman to earn the title of Spalding® NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year.

Tucker led the NJCAA with 13 sacks in the regular season and ended the year ranking third despite playing only nine games. The freshman recorded 53 tackles – 33 solo and 20 assisted – ranking third on his team. Tucker also accumulated 14.5 tackles-for-loss – second-most for the Wolves – while adding an interception and a pass breakup to his stats.

Playing in the same conference as some of the top defensive talent in the country, Tucker was tabbed as the top defensive player in the MACJC and received first team all-conference honors. The Hazlehurst, Miss., native was also named a first team All-American by the NJCAA Football Committee.

Returning to Wesson, Miss. for his sophomore season, Tucker will try to become the first player to repeat as the Spalding® NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year since the award was created in 2000.

About the Spalding® NJCAA Football Player of the Year awards
Since 1990, the NJCAA Football Coaches Association has recognized the top football player in the country with the NJCAA Football Player of the Year award. The award was split into an offensive and defensive honor beginning in 2000. Spalding® partnered with the NJCAA in 2013 to become the title sponsor of both awards.

Spalding® in the Collegiate Football Market
Spalding® is currently the official football of the Arena Football League (AFL) – a distinction held since 2004. In the collegiate market, Spalding® is the official football the Southwestern Athletic Conference (NCAA Div. I), the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (NCAA Div. I), the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (NCAA Div. II) and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NCAA Div. II). Spalding® is a trademark of Russell Brands, LLC.

About the NJCAA
Since 1938, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has been the governing body of two-year college athletics, offering athletic and academic opportunities to college students. The NJCAA is the second largest national intercollegiate athletic organization in the United States with over 500 member schools in 43 states. Each year nearly 60,000 student-athletes compete in one of 28 different sports and the organization sponsors 48 national championship events and nine football bowl games. The NJCAA National Office has been located in Colorado Springs, Colo., since 1985. For more information visit www.njcaa.org.